WORK & GYM MORNING ROUTINE

My work morning routine can vary, depending on what time I start that day.  I set my alarm for around 5:45 and hit snooze a couple of times before I decide that it's time to drag myself from my bed - I do love my bed, and my sleep.  I pull on some gym clothes, head to the bathroom to lightly wash my face with some water, and then brush my teeth using my electric toothbrush. Sometimes I have breakfast before we leave, sometimes I don't - depends on my mood.

I head to the gym at about 6:30 and work out for 30-40 minutes - it's usually cardio, but if I'm feeling more awake sometimes I'll do some squats or jumps, or head to a couple of my favourite machines - seated row, and leg press. I shower and get ready at the gym - the showers there are very powerful and really hot too which I love! At the minute I've got the Zoella Foaming Shower Gel in my gym bag, and when it comes to washing my hair - I like to do that at home. I've been using a light spray of the La Roche Posay Serozinc after rinsing my face again in the shower, and finishing off with a light coating of Benefit's Total Moisture which smells incredible.

I tend to give my hair a quick brush - I use an Invisibobble to put my hair up to avoid any bumps in case I want to wear it down, and then brush with a detangling brush as my hair is very thick and prone to knots. If I do decide to straighten it, I'll do it at home before bed to save time in the mornings.

The most time consuming part of getting ready for work in the morning is doing my make up - sometimes I'll do my base and brows at the gym and finish my eyes at work.  I've been priming using the Freedom Makeup Priming Water - I love to use a lightweight primer, and with high levels of Glycerin this works amazingly. I then use a Beauty Blender to apply Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation in the shade I'm So Money Honey, I then use a little amount of Boiing Concealer in the shade 1 - I never usually set with a powder as I prefer a dewy finish to my base. I always always bronze with Hoola, and apply Rockateur to my cheeks - this is my favourite blusher, I prefer a more subtle blusher but sometimes I'll use Coralista for a brighter pop of colour.

I've been using the new Benefit Brow Collection - I love the Browvo Conditioning Primer, it really helps to nourish the eyebrows and help them appear thicker, healthier and fuller but also primes them and allows your brow makeup to sit for longer. I've then been using the Ka-Brow! This is hands down my favourite product from the new collection - its a cream gel pomade with a built in brush and it's so easy to apply - it also lasts for 24 hours which is amazing! I then set them in place with the trusty Gimme Brow which gives a natural volume to the brow. 

I then use the Hoola Bronzer with a fluffy brush through my crease and then apply the They're Real Push Up Liner along my upper lashline - sometimes with a wing, sometimes without - a girls got to change it up - and then generous coatings of the They're Real Mascara in Black - I don't often wear lip colour to work - but I've recently fallen in love with Posie Balm and Cha Cha Balm for a light colour and hydration for the day. 

Sort out my bag - lunch and a book for the bus journey, and I'm on my way!

As you may have guessed - my make up for work consists of all Benefit - I haven't been able to fully explore all of the products on my skin yet but I'm sure I can start to slowly review a lot of their products as I build my collection! All I can definitely say is that I'm loving the new Brow Collection.. watch this space!

SUNDAY NIGHT TIME ROUTINE.

My nights are usually pretty chilled, but none more than a Sunday night. I really value my down time, which mostly consists of chilling in my room watching TV but there's something about a Sunday night - the night before a new week, that I just find much more chilled than any other night of the week.

I like to start off the night with a shower and facial wash - I like my showers hot so I really crank up the temperature. I've been using Soap and Glory Clean on Me Shower Gel and Soap and Glory Orangeasm Body Scrub in the shower, and a L'Oreal Elvive Shampoo to wash my hair - all out of conditioner, and I won't lie most of the time I just can't be bothered so I tend to leave conditioner altogether (naughty!)

When I get out of the shower I start a skincare routine - I use Benefit's Foamingly Clean Facial Wash to wash my face and remove any make up. I've been switching this out for the Nip + Fab Glycolic Scrub as it's a facial exfoliant and it's good to exfoliate a couple of times a week. I then use the La Roche Posay Serozinc which is a spray on toner which is good for oily or blemish prone skin. I quite like what this has been doing to my skin - it's become lots clearer after a short amount of time. I then go in with a Nip + Fab Dragons Blood Serum and the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Oil - the serum is a very old favourite of mine, at one point my entire skincare range was Nip + Fab as I absolutely love their products - I'm actually yet to find one that I don't like! The Estee Lauder Night Repair is a recent addition to my skincare routine, so I'm eager to see how that pans out and hopefully using an oil will begin to make such a difference to my skin. I tend to finish off with a night cream, which varies between Benefit Total Moisture which is a lovely, rich moisturiser - or the Nip + Fab Viper Venom Night Cream which I love the texture and the smell of.

I try my hardest to get a brush through my hair after adding a few drops of Garnier Hair Oil, and then just leave it to dry naturally - so many people berate me for this but it's something I've always done and find really comfortable. My hair is so thick, I hate sitting there for years with a hairdryer blasting my hair and making me boil on the spot - so I tend to let it air dry or sleep with wet hair.

I rarely fake tan - but I've been using a St Tropez Gradual Tanning Moisturiser - I can't really tell a difference but I don't really apply a lot as I hate that sticky feeling when you get into bed. I throw on some pyjamas, check my bag is packed for the morning and either get in my bed, or sit on top of my bed on my laptop, or watching TV.

I do the usual - checking social media, and checking my alarm is set and then it's bedtime for me! I really value my sleep so making sure I'm comfortable is really important to me. Fluff up the pillows, lights out - night night!

BENEFIT BROW COLLECTION: KA-BROW!

instagram: @sophietumber

On 24th June, Benefit Cosmetics launched a brand new brow collection featuring some old favourites, and some very new friends. Benefit Cosmetics have been rocking brows since 1976 so the girls there definitely know a thing or two about brows. Since Cara stepped onto the scene, brows have been such a big trend and who better to launch brow products than the local brow authority.

Amongst the nine piece collection is a product called Ka-Brow!. Ka-Brow! is a cream gel formula, comparable to the infamous Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade, and just like the rest of the collection, comes in nine shades - 1-6. I've been using shade 4 which is a medium brown and it matches my hair colour perfectly. It also comes with a built in brush in the cap, which you are able to clip into the lid and extend to make it easier to use.

Ka-Brow! is a rich, wearable colour that easily sculpts and defines your eyebrows. It's also very easy to use - I've been teaching my customers to pull out the brush from the cap, line underneath and on top of the brow and fill in the middle. It really is that easy - it builds a natural or dramatic brow in seconds and lasts 24 hours!

I've been using mine almost every day since I received the product, I've been using it alongside Gimme Brow, 3D Browtones and High Brow which are also products from the new collection.

Have you tried any of the Benefit Brow Collection? What are your favourites?